that no one will raise a similar claim as against the STRANGER: Had we not reason just to now to herdsman, who is allowed on all hands to be the apprehend, that although we may have described a sole and only feeder and physician of his herd; he is sort of royal form, we have not as yet accurately also their match-maker and accoucheur; no one else worked out the true image of the Statesman? and knows that department of science. And he is their that we cannot reveal him as he truly is in his own merry-maker and musician, as far as their nature is nature, until we have disengaged and separated him susceptible of such influences, and no one can con-from those who hang about him and claim to share sole and soothe his own herd better than he can, in his prerogatives?
either with the natural tones of his voice or with instruments. And the same may be said of tenders YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.
of animals in general.
STRANGER: And that, Socrates, is what we must YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.
do, if we do not mean to bring disgrace upon the argument at its close.
STRANGER: But if this is as you say, can our argument about the king be true and unimpeachable?
YOUNG SOCRATES: We must certainly avoid that.
Were we right in selecting him out of ten thousand other claimants to be the shepherd and rearer of STRANGER: Then let us make a new beginning, the human flock?
and travel by a different road.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Surely not.
YOUNG SOCRATES: What road?